Autistic women assemble! #3

[Nepmarthiturn]

This is a thread for autistic women to connect, chat, vent, laugh, share and seek advice and solidarity (small talk and word mincing not required). 😊

Any autistic women newly finding the thread are very welcome to join us (even if awaiting diagnosis) but we'd be grateful if others could leave us alone please…

Previous threads:

1

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4777843-autistic-women-assemble

#2
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4865805-autistic-women-assemble-2

Just to add to my last post. From the points I scored, I'd have been awarded enhanced mobility from the points given on my Autism issues alone. On the daily care, I might have gotten standard rate based on my Autism, but the main bulk of my points relate to my physical disability. Everyone is different as to how their Autism affects them though. For me, there are no issues with reading or budgeting for example, so no evidence / points there.

How is everyone anyway?

I came down with the dreaded Covid last Thursday night. I'm out of bed now, but my god, even picking up a tea towel is exhausting.

DS has just been awarded ADP for autism and ADHD. (ADP is Scottish PIP)

He got standard rate care and mobility. We are currently asking them to look at it again. I believe he should have got enhanced care. I agree with the standard mobility.

Watch this space. I am hoping that they will reconsider their decision in his favour. He is 28 but has only just claimed (it is a very, very long story.

Also - I filled in the UC50 for him, hoping that they will put him in the LCWRA (Support) Group and therefore stop asking him to apply for jobs and also give him an extra £95 a week UC. So far, there has not been a decision - but with any luck, the ADP decision will make the DWP think he should be in the LCWRA group.

For me, there are no issues with reading or budgeting for example, so no evidence / points there

Hi Rainbow - sorry you're not feeling well.

DS got points for budgeting. His ADHD means that he has no idea about keeping money to pay bills. If it's in his account, he spends it.

It's a real worry for me. HIs latest desire is to buy a £2,000 massage chair for himself. Lovely idea. I'd like one myself. He has been put off (for the moment) because he has decided that it will not fit in through the door of his flat.

Hmm. His front door is the same size as most people's, but I'm glad his lack of spatial awareness has put the lid on the acquiring of the massage chair.

It goes without saying that he hasn't got £2,000.

I was going to post on this thread anyway today, because there was a comment on another thread I'm on about a "very rude comment" - but I actually don't know if this refers to something I wrote or not.

I hate it when there are remarks about rudeness or lack of empathy. I always worry they're about me. And it really isn't done on purpose.

Well done to your son @TheShellBeach

@RainbowZebraWarrior That's great news but so annoying you had to fight so hard for it. I was going to apply with just my psychosis diagnosis but then my friend said they don't give it for mental health so never bothered and tbh the process scares me. I will have to look at the form this weekend I think.

In actual fact, poor mental health is the main reason why PIP is awarded now.

https://lottie.org/fees-funding/pip-list-of-medical-conditions-uk/

And @catmomof3 get advice from a welfare rights officer, to help you to complete the form. It is essential, to know how to answer it so that you are more likely to get PIP.

My DS got ADP on a paper assessment alone - he didn't have to have a phone or in-person assessment.

This website is also highly recommended (by me and many others) as it gives essential advice:

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants

Yes I'm going to look into this, my mum recently got awarded due to her sleep apnea and her assessment was straight forward, I even told her to expect to go tribunal but she was awarded right away.

I have a feeling that the DWP and SSS (Social Security Scotland) have worked out which claimants are likely to be awarded at a tribunal, and are starting just to award people anyway.

I myself had to go to a tribunal, but it was seven years ago and I think things have moved on since I claimed.

So I finally made it back to the psychiatrists office after ages of putting it off due to other issues. I have been given a prescription for concerta XL and have it in front of me now to start on Monday as to me you cannot start anything new unless it is a Monday!

What am I going to feel or how long did it take for meds to work with you for anyone who has taken them?

Reason my DS has learning difficulties | Mumsnet

@Psychoticbreak presumably the dose for concerta will start low and build up? You might find it makes a bit of a difference straight away or not until you reach a more permanent dose. Concerta works when you take it … it doesn’t need to build up in your system.

Hi, I lurked (& possibly posted) on the previous thread.

I have quite literally just been given my diagnosis of (I think this is what he said) type 1 high functioning ASD.

I feel exonerated from my past.

I'm 54 and my whole life has been such a struggle.

For anyone considering that you may be autistic - please fill the forms in. I was convinced right up until he said that I am autistic, that he would say I am not.

I need to let this all sink in and wait to receive the drs report. He said he is going to ask my GP to refer me for some specialist counselling/therapy.

Need to tell DH now - at least he will now know the reasons for all of my 'quirks.'

Not feeling anything yet. I took 18mg yesterday and onto 27mg today and for the next 4 days I think.

They’re pretty low doses, we’ve had 45s here for a teen and maybe even 56mg

I have to build it up over a week or so.

Hi I haven't been diagnosed but sure I have autism what are the main traits ? I am 45. My 18 year old daughter was diagnosed 4 years ago. My youngest aged 15 has adhd I can see some of these traits too.
I know it come from mum or dad
I am really bad socially, not keen on big groups, find it hard meeting new people, get very distracted, find it hard doing say teeth etc

Toffee 100 I am awful at impulse buying and buying general. I am awful with money and budgets. I have an addictive personality, addicted to watching tv, eating chocolate, spending etc. Say what I think

I've had my ADHD assessment and i was diagnosed on the spot. Autism assessment is another 3 month wait.

It's floored me tbh, not handling it at all well.

I feel angry, confused, in denial, lost...

Is it expensive to get a diagnosis? Asking for a friend… 😀

I could have written this!!!

Mine was £2,200 for combined ASD & ADHD (three one-hour appointments in central London).

Hi all, I asked up thread a few weeks ago about RTT and got some good advice. I finally had my GP appointment this week and I was very anxious about it but the GP couldn't have been nicer. They have agreed to send my referral off to my chosen place, no questions asked. I am very relieved!